Lessons Learned from the FaçadeFiasco. Dr. Jonathan Barnett Technical Director, RED Fire Engineers

Transcription

1 Lessons Learned from the FaçadeFiasco Dr. Jonathan Barnett Technical Director, RED Fire Engineers

2 How did we arrive at the fac ade compliance problem and who is responsible? Who should cover rectification costs? Why is the system making it so hard to fix the problem? When do we have to get on top of it? 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 2

3 What is the problem? How did we get here? Learning from history (the great colosseum collapse of 25 AD, Lacrosse, Grenfell, others). 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 3

4 Major façade fires London, UK, 2017, 24 storey class 2, over 70 dead Baku, Azerbaijan, 2015, 16 storey class 2, 15 dead, 63 injured Shanghai, China, 2010, 28 storey class 2, 58 dead, 70 injured Major façade fires in UAE Lacrosse tower in Melbourne 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 4

5 It s a scary problem 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 5

6 Ajman - UAE 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 6

7 What can go wrong 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 7

8 Lacrosse Docklands La Trobe Street, Melbourne 25 Nov Occupants 23 storeys $25M + loss 122 fire fighters involved 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 8

9 The brigade response 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 9

10 Balcony of origin 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 10

11 Vertical path of fire spread 26 February, RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd

12 Spread up this panel Continuous to top of building 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 12

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14 After the fire 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 14

15 $6.5M (fire damage) Cost (AUD) 26 sprinkler heads operated, which along with water from hose streams resulted in $700,000 damage $8.6M (cladding) Replace non-fire damaged cladding with Vitracore G2 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 15

16 Combustible Product that is DtS for this use Vitracore G2 aluminium panel with aluminium core 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 16

17 Cost (AUD) $1M lost rent and cost of emergency accommodation Insurance premium increase of $130,000 since 2014 Rectification of non-compliant cladding $15,000,000? 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 17

18 Concerns The building is now re-occupied What strategy is needed to keep it safe to occupy? 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 18

19 Lacrosse Reinstatement of ESM Reduced over crowding Limited storage on balconies Enhanced MFB response 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 19

20 Grenfell Tower 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 20

21 Probable construction (From the NY Times) 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 21

22 Could it happen here? Yes, it could happen here! We were warned by the Lacrosse fire The wind blew the right way The sprinkler system was designed for use with the hydrants; which weren t used The brigade had access to an elevated roadway Excellent water supply infrastructure The fire happened at the right time of the night 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 22

23 Have we been doing anything? Initial VBA audit of 170 buildings in the CBD 51 % non-compliant Are these unsafe? Do they meet the performance requirements of the BCA? 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 23

24 The Problem This is not simply due to cheap Chinese imports It is not due to builders/developers just trying to save money It is not a product problem 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 24

25 The Problem It is a design problem It is an enforcement problem It is due to a market driven approach which ignores safety These fires are low frequency potentially high consequence events It is due to failure to use design professionals who understand fire safety, fire protection and construction technologies 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 25

26 How do we become compliant We need to understand and apply the BCA We need to go beyond self certification We need to add more vigor to our inspection processes 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 26

27 What BCA? Which year? Which amendment? They changed the rules so its not my fault 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 27

28 The BCA 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 28

29 The BCA 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 29

30 The BCA 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 30

31 Facade Case 1: Cladding is [part of] the exterior wall Case 2: Cladding is an attachment 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 31

32 Facade Case 1: Cladding is [part of] the exterior wall Case 2: Cladding is an attachment 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 32

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35 What to use? Substantial Progress Section 10(2) A building regulation, or an amendment to abuilding regulation, does not apply to the carrying out of building work if the relevant building surveyor is satisfied, and certifies in writing, that substantial progress was made on the design of the building before the building regulation or amendment commenced. 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 35

36 What to use? Similar to VIC Day Building Permit is issued 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 36

37 Clarification Modification Addition 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 37

38 Clarification 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 38

39 Clarification 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 39

40 Clarification 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 40

41 C1.9 (formerly C1.12) Plasterboard Fibre-reinforced cement sheet Pre-finished metal sheeting Bonded laminates 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 41

42 Clause C1.9 e (vi) Bonded laminates Each lamina is non-combustible Each adhesive layer <1 mm Total adhesive layers < 2 mm Is this a lamina? 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 42

43 Clause C1.9 e (vi) Bonded laminates For the whole: Spread-of-Flame Index = 0 Smoke-Developed Index < 3 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 43

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45 Clause C February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 45

46 Clause C February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 46

47 Clarification 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 47

48 Ancillary: Clause C February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 48

49 Ancillary: Clause C February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 49

50 Ancillary: Clause C February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 50

51 Ancillary: Clause C February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 51

52 Ancillary: Clause C February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 52

53 Facade Case 1: Cladding is [part of] the exterior wall Not combustible 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 53

54 Facade Case 2: Cladding is an attachment Perhaps combustible 5. An adjunct or supplementary device 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 54

55 But how did we get here? First modern code: Rome year 27, as a response to a collapse which killed or injured 50,000 people. 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 55

56 But how did we get here? In 64 Rome burned down: poor construction, combustible facades, lack of fire separation from boundary 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 56

57 But how did we get here? 1666 fire in London. Major update to code, construction of party walls outside of all buildings to be made of brick and/or stone. 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 57

58 But how did we get here? 1871 Chicago 250 dead, buildings destroyed. New building code We need to remember the past 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 58

59 How did we arrive at the fac ade compliance problem and who is responsible? Who should cover rectification costs? Why is the system making it so hard to fix the problem? When do we have to get on top of it? 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 59

60 DtS Once we identify non-compliant cladding, what should we do? 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 60

61 Real examples 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 61

62 Other Buildings Trilogiis a collection of 324 luxury apartments spread over three buildings and has already become a Prahran landmark. 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 62

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64 Is Vitrabond PE an attachment??? 13 mm Plasterboard Inside Glass wool insulation Balcony Cement sheet Vitrabond PE Note: The cement sheet may be used where a non-combustible element is required (BCA Specification C1.10) 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 64

65 Is the Vitrabond PE an attachment??? The cement sheet has excellent resistance to water penetration and high wind loads, and is suitable for exposed applications. Therefore the Vitrabond PE can be viewed as an attachment. 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 65

66 Is the cladding compliant? In this particular case the FER does not allow the use of combustible construction as sprinklers are omitted from the balcony 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 66

67 Forget the BCA Let s look at the real problem 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 67

68 The balcony attachment Above the ACP panel is the grill for the bathroom and kitchen exhausts. 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 68

69 Fire spread - Lacrosse 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 69

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71 Is it a real problem? It is non-compliant from a DtS viewpoint It is non-compliant from a performance viewpoint 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 71

72 External Wall FR 16 mm Plasterboard (x2) Inside of SOU Glass wool insulation PIR Panel PIR Panel is FR, but it is combustible Vitrabond PE 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 72

73 External Wall Even if the Vitrabond is an attachment, the PIR is part of the wall The PIR is combustible Therefore the wall is not compliant with the DtS provisions. Learning from Grenfell, it is non-compliant from a performance viewpoint. 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 73

74 Key points Who is going to rectify it? Why is it taking so long to rectify? Who is going to pay? Who is responsible? 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 74

75 How will this be rectified? 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 75

76 DtS: Specification C1.1 CASE 2: Façade is an Attachment (a) A combustible material may be used as a finish or lining to a wall or roof, or in a sign, sunscreen or blind, awning, or other attachment to a building element which has the required FRL if 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 76

77 Properties Exempted under C1.10 or complies with specification C1.10 Simple to determine with the right information (certificate) 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 77

78 Fire Hazard Property Specification C1.10, Class 2, exempts things such as: Plaster, cement render, concrete, terrazzo, ceramic tile or the like Fire protective covering (such as 13 mm plasterboard) Timber window framing Paint Any other material that does not significantly increase the hazards of fire. 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 78

79 Properties Make an exit unusable Attachment's location wrt the exit Flame spread and radiant heat flux to the exit Dripping if over an exit Requires engineering evaluation 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 79

80 Properties Does not constitute an undue risk of fire spread via the façade Need to know fire spread properties based on expected fire scenarios Requires engineering evaluation 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 80

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86 How are we going to fix it? 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 86

87 When do we fix it? After the Australian Grenfell? But didn t we already have Lacrosse? 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 87

88 But who is going to pay? Designers: Insurance Certifiers: Insurance Home owners with or without government assistance 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 88

89 Solutions Identify the problem Use an approach like the VBA is implementing Develop the expertise to fix and prevent Licensed engineers Proper education programs (not training that is not at an international level) State of the art research Certifiers that use experts So massive, we need Govt to step in with $$$ 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 89

90 Lessons Learned from the Non- Compliant Fac ade Fiasco Jonathan Barnett M: E: 26 February, 2018 RED Fire Engineers Pty Ltd 90